IGAD Embarks on High-Level National Consultation to Harmonize Qualifications Frameworks in Kenya
By John Kariuki
The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) on Wednesday convened a seminal National Consultation in Nairobi aimed at accelerating the domestication and harmonized implementation of the IGAD Regional Qualifications Framework (IRQF) alongside the Kenya National Qualifications Framework (KNQF)—a landmark step in streamlining education and skills recognition across the region.
The high-profile consultation brought together senior officials from Kenya’s Ministry of Education, national regulatory bodies, technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions, universities, quality assurance agencies, and international development partners. The overarching goal of the engagement was to cultivate a unified understanding of the frameworks’ scope, governance, and transformative potential, while reflecting on Kenya’s trajectory in implementing the KNQF over the past decade.
At the heart of the deliberations was the recognition of education and training as critical enablers of socioeconomic transformation and regional integration. By advancing the IRQF, IGAD seeks to establish a standardized, transparent, and mutually recognizable qualifications system that facilitates cross-border mobility of learners and skilled labor, enhances employability, and supports lifelong learning.
The Kenya National Qualifications Framework, developed and stewarded by the Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA), has served as a cornerstone in restructuring the national education and training architecture. It provides a systematic classification of qualifications based on learning outcomes, credit accumulation, and quality assurance—a framework that is now being benchmarked against regional imperatives through the IGAD consultation process.
In her opening remarks, an official from Kenya’s Ministry of Education reiterated the government’s commitment to delivering a competency-based, inclusive, and globally competitive education system. “This national consultation is not only an evaluation exercise but also a platform to reimagine how we can better align our qualifications with labor market demands, regional development goals, and the aspirations of Kenya Vision 2030,” she stated.
The consultation focused on strategic themes, including the governance of qualifications frameworks, the role of digital credentials and micro-credentials, mechanisms for recognition of prior learning (RPL), and the integration of TVET and higher education pathways. Stakeholders also explored institutional bottlenecks and capacity-building needs that must be addressed to achieve seamless interoperability between national and regional qualifications frameworks.
IGAD’s Regional Qualifications Framework is envisioned as a policy instrument that will underpin greater coherence across national education systems in the region. By fostering alignment, transparency, and trust in the value of qualifications, it offers a powerful tool for unlocking human capital, enhancing regional competitiveness, and shaping a future-ready workforce.
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